Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A Liberty County man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations within a school zone. Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. announced the sentencing of Thomas James Lawson, 35, who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone sentenced him to 135 months in federal prison on April 17, 2025.
The court heard that in January 2024, authorities became aware of Lawson's involvement in distributing methamphetamine and other narcotics. Drugs were reportedly purchased from Lawson's home in Liberty.
On January 31, 2024, a search warrant executed at Lawson's residence uncovered a backpack with multiple vacuum-sealed bags of crystal methamphetamine, a bag of marijuana, clear baggies of pills marked "AD-30," pill bottles labeled as Adderall, numerous bottles of Xanax, a digital scale, and other drug paraphernalia. Over $2,000 in cash and a significant amount of methamphetamine totaling 862.51 grams were also found in the home.
The location of Lawson’s house falls within 1,000 feet of Liberty Elementary School and its playground. A school zone sign was present on Lawson's street, and children were observed playing on the school playground during the search.
The investigation involved the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn prosecuted the case.
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